(Dendrolagus Lumholtzi) and Its Habitat 2014-2019
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Community Action Plan for the conservation of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and its habitat 2014-2019 Title: Community Action Plan for the conservation of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and its habitat 2014-2019 Disclaimer: We do not guarantee that this publication is without !aw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaim all liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. The information in this report does not necessarily represent the view of the Tree-Kangaroo and Mammal Group Inc. or the organisations mentioned, neither can they be held responsible for implementation of the action. Publication reference: Burchill, S., Cianelli, M., Edwards, C., Grace, R., Heise-Pavlov, S., Hudson, D., Moerman, I., Smith, K. (2014). Community Action Plan for the Conservation of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and its habitat 2014 - 2019. Malanda, Australia. Front cover: Artwork by William T. Cooper for Lumholtz Lodge (subject to copyright and used in this community action plan with permission) TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary 1 Summary of objectives, actions and potential contributors Goal 1: An aware and engaged community 2 Goal 2: Adequate LTK habitat in sound condition, protected and well connected 4 Goal 3: Direct human-related threats are mitigated 6 Goal 4: Protocols based on sound knowledge and experience are applied in LTK husbandry, rehabilitation and release 8 Goal 5: Knowledge of the species is adequate to guide conservation actions 9 Table 1 Threatened and near-threatened animal species associated with Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo habitat 11 Table 2 Threatened ecosystems utilised by Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroos 11 Appendices A: List of workshop participants 12 B: List of Acronyms 13 Community Action Plan for the conservation of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and its habitat 2014-2019 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) is one of 14 tree-kangaroo species worldwide. It is only found in Australia and is one of two Australian endemic tree-kangaroo species, the other being the Bennett’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus bennettianus) that occurs in rainforest and drier vine forest communities to the north of the Lumholtz’s tree- kangaroo distribution. The other 12 tree-kangaroo species occur on the island of New Guinea. The Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo is considered ‘Near threatened’ under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 and the Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes (Maxwell et al.). The species is, however, listed as of ‘Least Concern’ by the IUCN based on the current knowledge of its distribution, numbers, threats and the fact that most of its remaining prime habitat receives protective status under the Wet Tropics World Heritage Declaration. The current distribution of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (LTK) populations extends from the Carbine Tableland west of Mossman to the Cardwell Range west of Ingham. The species is most frequently sighted in the fragmented rainforests of the Atherton Tablelands, typically in rainforest types on basalt soils. Local populations of LTK are a"ected by increasing human development causing habitat loss, fragmentation and predation by dogs. Road kills associated with transport networks and increasing tra#c are also frequently recorded. Impacts on the species and its habitat by climate change are predicted. The range of factors that may threaten this species, combined with di#culties to quantitatively assess the impact of these factors, makes the development of e"ective conservation strategies a challenge. The Community Action Plan for the conservation of the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (the Plan) has therefore been developed as a practical instrument to direct conservation actions to speci$c goals. For each goal the Plan lists objectives that are considered achievable within a timeframe of 5 years and for which the Plan recommends numerous speci$c actions to assist in planning and implementation of threat mitigation and conservation activities. The long-term objective of the Plan is that all populations of the species are secure throughout their range and an active and aware local community is managing threats to support a viable network of habitat for the long-term conservation of the LTK. The following goals have been identi$ed: Goal 1: An aware and engaged community This goal will assist in engaging the local, Australian and international communities. Goal 2: Adequate LTK habitat in sound condition, protected and well connected This goal will assist in identifying areas for protection and measures to make their protection more e"ective. Goal 3: Direct human-related threats are mitigated This goal will assist in mitigating threats to LTK by introduced predators and tra#c. Goal 4: Protocols based on sound knowledge and experience are applied in LTK husbandry, rehabilitation and release This goal will assist in the detection, care and release of injured LTK, and the integration of rehabilitated animals in research. Goal 5: Knowledge of the species is adequate to guide conservation actions This goal will promote research into the distribution, the abundance, the current and future population viability and threat-mitigation techniques. The Plan emphasises the need for a coordinated approach to achieve the selected goals. It identi$es potential partnerships between organisations such as NGO’s, research facilities, educational institutions, community members, businesses and governmental bodies. The local Tree-Kangaroo and Mammal Group (TKMG) sees its role in identifying required actions, existing resources and helping in establishing partnerships that will assist in achieving the speci$ed objectives. The Plan will create synergism through networking all those who are interested in preserving Australia’s natural wildlife. The Plan goes therefore beyond previous Management and Conservation Strategy documents for the LTK (TKMG 2000; Kanowski et al. 2003). Actions to protect the LTK and its habitat will directly bene$t a wide range of threatened species and ecosystems including the endangered Southern Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) and the critically endangered Mabi Forest. The Plan complements recovery plans that have been developed for these threatened species and ecosystems (Tables 1 and 2). Maxwell, S, Burbidge, AA and Morris, KD. (1996). Action Plan for Australian Marsupials and Monotremes. (http://www.environment.gov.au/ biodiversity/threatened/publications/action/marsupials/index.html ) Wildlife Australia, Canberra. The Tree Kangaroo and Mammal Group, (2000). Community Survey of the Distribution of Lumholtz’s Tree-kangaroo. Kanowski, J. J., Winter, J. W., Simmons, T., Tucker, N.I.J. (2003). Conservation strategy for Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo on the Atherton Tablelands. Ecological management & restoration 4: 220-221. Community Action Plan for the conservation of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and its habitat 2014-2019 1. Goal 1. An aware and engaged community. 1.1. The Southern Atherton Tablelands community values the Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo as a signi!cant local icon. Potential contributors Actions (listed in alphabetical order) a) Support the adoption of LTK as iconic species for the community of the Local schools, TKMG, TRC, TREAT, TRRACC Southern Atherton Tablelands. b) Investigate the opportunity to have the LTK adopted as the TRC faunal EHP/NPRSR, TKMG, TRC emblem. c) Develop and deliver educational material on LTK conservation issues for CVA, EHP/NPRSR, local schools, SFS, TKMG, schools and local youth groups. TRRACC d) Actively engage Tablelands’ youth in LTK related conservation initiatives. CVA, Girl Guides, NPRSR, Scouting Australia, TEEC, TKMG, TNPV, TRRACC e) Raise landholders’ awareness of existing conservation instruments, incentives EHP/NPRSR, Terrain, TKMG, TRC, TREAT, and productivity bene$ts of LTK-related conservation activities (e.g. erosion WTMA control, water quality improvements and shading stock when planting along creeks). f) Use available local media, council notices, community events and planning CVA, Terrain, TKMG, TRRACC processes to raise awareness of LTK existence and conservation needs. g) Consult with Traditional Owners to identify ways to facilitate long-term CVA, EHP/NPRSR, Terrain, TKMG, engagement and involvement in LTK conservation activities. Traditional Owners, WTMA h) Explore opportunities to recognise and reward LTK related conservation CVA, SFS, TKMG, TRC, WTMA initiatives and ongoing conservation activities (e.g. LTK award). i) Distribute information on opportunities to participate in LTK conservation and CVA, EHP/NPRSR, local media, local research activities. schools, Terrain, TKMG, TRC, TREAT, TRRACC, WTMA j) Involve tree-kangaroo wildlife carers in education and dissemination of Local schools, researchers, TRRACC, knowledge about the LTK. veterinarians, wildlife carers and wildlife parks Community Action Plan for the conservation of Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi) and its habitat 2014-2019 2. 1.2. There is increased awareness of the LTK in the Australian and international communities. Potential contributors Actions (listed in alphabetical order) a) Utilise regional, state, national and international media, events, programs and CVA, JCU, local media, SFS, Terrain, TKMG social media opportunities to constantly update and distribute information on LTK. b) Explore and utilise new